New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti began his first day at work for the London club by announcing the signing of Russia midfielder Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow yesterday.
Ancelotti held a news conference at Stamford Bridge where he also said that captain John Terry, the subject of interest from Manchester City, was not for sale at any price.
The club confirmed on their Web site that a fee had been agreed for the Russian but said the deal was still subject to a medical and agreement on personal terms.
“Zhirkov is naturally on the left. I think he can do all the work and can play in defense and in between,” Ancelotti said.
Former AC Milan coach Ancelotti arrives at Chelsea just as the club are bidding to beat off an approach from City for Terry.
After initially shocking reporters by joking that he did not know if the defender would be around for the new season, he soon assured them he would.
“There is a question from Manchester City but for Terry there is no price,” he said. “John Terry is the symbol of this team.”
“Terry will be captain of Chelsea for ever. He said he wants to stay, we want to keep him no problem,” Ancelotti said.
“He is very close to [Paolo] Maldini for professionalism and for quality and I think he will be the best captain for Chelsea,” he said.
Ancelotti said he did not think Chelsea needed to make major personnel changes on the pitch
“I don’t think so. Chelsea is a great team now, five semis in six years in the Champions League ... if you can improve this it will be better for me and for the club,” he said.
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